The Repertory Theater’s Backstage Dance Studio

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Shooting continued for Britt Daley’s music video, “One and Only.” A door at the back of the actors dressing rooms opened into a backstage dance studio. I never would have guessed that this room existed. Andy Matchett lounged in front of me along with Megan Hinkle and Kyle Raker. For much of the day, Britt had been worried that her break dancer hadn’t shown up. Scott Wilkins the writer for the music video shoot said that the one thing he needed more than anything else was a break dancer. The dream sequence was saved for last since everyone in the cast had to change into their flashiest 80’s outfits.

Will “MainSwitch” Campbell and Darci Ricciardi began working on their dance moves. “MainSwitch” brought Darci up to speed until they were a well oiled break dancing machine. Jessica Mariko had her own dance moves worked out. She wore a sleek red dress and her sensual moves could make any James Bond actress blush. Nicholas Corcoran was a bit nervous since he isn’t a dancer and he was being asked to light up the dance floor like John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever.” The biggest surprise came when Katie Peters rolled onto the dance floor in a classic roller skating disco queen outfit. She had performed as a singer during the audition scenes of the video shoot. The actress who was going to skate didn’t show so Katie stepped in. Nicholas didn’t have to work on many dance moves, he just had to help guide skating Katie as she glided around him. Tape on the rehearsal floor was a bit of a stumbling block at first but soon Skating Katie and Nick had a smooth routine worked out. Everything was worked out for a stellar dream scene.

Andy Matchett

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A long line of actors stood in a hallway of the Orlando Repertory Theater. They were waiting to audition. Britt Daley with her boom box strutted down the hall. The cameraman used a steady cam to go down the hallway and then he backed out the stage doorway and crouched framing Andy Matchett who was strumming his guitar. Andy did a double take when Britt walked past and he involuntarily strummed a twangy wolfs call on the guitar. His T-shirt read, “Popular” and he wore a Dog Powered Robot button on the guitar strap. 0ne of the lyrics in Britt’s “One and Only” song pointed out,”You’re wearing that T again.” Andy’s hair swelled to an Elvis styled wave in front. He wore a neat little hip amplifier.

The shot was executed again and again until it felt right. One of the stage hands tested the hallway’s light levels, fortunately it was already perfectly lit. I couldn’t sketch in the hallway without getting in the shot so this doorway was my only option to sketch the scene. My back was up against some stage curtains and ropes and wires snaked all around me. Andy of course is the lead singer in Andy Matchett and the Minx. This local band puts on a show that will rock your socks off.

One and Only

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I sketched all day in the Orlando Rep at the video shoot for Britt Daley’s One and Only. In this scene Britt is on stage performing her audition. You can just see her leg and the loose shirt slipping down her shoulder. I was fascinated by the dolly and boom which allowed the camera to be moved smoothly all around. Britt and Andy Matchett, who was also auditioning, enter a dream sequence together. They dance together to Britt’s song. They spun around, their outstretched arms extended. Extra fluorescent tubes and fill lights were set up to illuminate the couple. Britt told me the camera man was whispering to himself enthusiastically during this shot. “Yes, that’s it, good.” Luckily the audio is being replaced in the final video edit. Everyone enthusiastically volunteered their talent and time to bring this gorilla style video shoot to life. The One and Only music video will premiere on October second. I’ll keep you posted.